Rein-holder for vehicles.



P. A. BENTZLIN.

REIN HOLDER FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1912.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

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FRANS A. BENTZLIN, 0F ANDRUS, WISCONSIN.

REIN-HOLDER FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1.3, 1912.

Application led March 11, 1912. Serial No. 682,863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANS A. BENTZLIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Andros, county of Polk, and State of ViSconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rein- Holders for Vehicles, of which the followino is a specification.

y invention relates to rein holders, that is, to that class of devices adapted for arrangement upon a vehicle to serve as a means of holding the reins in position to prevent sagging thereof or dropping to the ground.

The object of my invention is the production of a rein holder, as mentioned, which will be of durable and economical construction and efficient in operation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in View, my invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fragment of the front end portion of a vehicle box to which is applied a rein holder embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged central section of the device, and Figs. 8 and l are perspective views of parts of the device, disconnected.

The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawing, comprises a base portion 1 which is preferably of channel form, as shown, for mounting upon the upper edge portion of the front end piece or dashboard of a vehicle body or box, said base member being preferably perforated in order to accommodate suitable securing devices for fastening the same in position.

Formed integral with the base member 1 are two spaced upwardly projecting posts 2 and 3, between which, when the device is in use, the reins are adapted to be positioned in order to clamp the same in position, as will be hereinafter described, the upper ends of said posts being divergently disposed, as shown, in order to facilitate the insertion of the reins therebetween. The base portion of the post 8 is cut away at l for the reception of a clamping member 5 which is adapted, when the device is in use, to constitute a movable clamping jaw adapted to ce operate with a stationary clamping jaw which is constituted by the base portion of the post 2. The member 5 is pivotally secured in position by means of a. piu (l which is secured in position by having its lower end threaded into the member l, said pin engaging alining perforations 7 and 8 provided, respectively, iu the member 5 and the postIv The engaging portion or head 9 of the member 5 is of curved form and is ecceutrically disposed relative to the pivotal point thereof, and so that when said meinber is oseillated, the outer or engaging surface of the portion t) will approach or recede from the post 2 according to the direction in which said member is oscillated. Said surface of the portion 9 is formed with ratchet teeth l0 or is otherwise roughened or knurled in order to increase the friction when the same is brought into contact with the reins 11 when the latter are clamped between said surface and the adjacent side of the post 2, the provision of said teeth evidently obviating the possibility of slipping of the reins when clamped in the device.

The member 5 is normally held in operative position, that is with the outer or engaging surface of the portion 9 thereof in clamping relation with the post 2, by means of a torsional spring 12. An outwardly projecting finger piece 13X is provided for rocking the member 5 in order to release the reins when desired.

In using the device, it is only required to first engage 'the finger' piece 13 and rock the member 5 in order to position the head 9 thereof to receive the reins between the same and the post 2. After the reins have been positioned between said portion 9 Vand the post, the finger' piece 13 is released, whereupon the spring 12 will operate to automatically oscillate said member 5 to force the portion 9 thereof into clamping relation with the reins. The latter will thus be held against sagging or dropping until released by engaging the finger piece 13 and oscillating the member 5 to releasing position.

A device of the construction set forth is of simple and economical construction, and hence may be manufactured at a low cost, and the same is of high efficiency in use.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the Spirit of the inver tion. I, therefore, do not Wish to be lim ited to the exact details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A device of the character described comprising a base member; a pair of spaced upwardly extending posts having diverging upper ends formed upon said base member; a clamping member mounted for oscillation in the base portion of one of said posts adapted to constitute a movable clamping jaw for cooperation with the other of said posts 'which is adapted to constitute a stationary clamping jaw, the engaging surface of said clamping" member being curved and disposed eccentrically relative to the pivotal point of said member; means for normally holding said clamping member in clamping position; and a finger piece for moving said clamping member to releasing position, substantially as described. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my 'name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANS A; BENTZLN.

lVi'tnesses W. N. FULLER, GRACE ADAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. nyadressing the Commissioner df Patents, Washington, D. C. 

